When Tim Melia stepped between the goal posts during the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final, it marked the culmination of his wildly unconventional journey to a starting role with an MLS club. Just last summer, the 29-year-old was an MLS ‘pool goalkeeper’ – a played paid by the league that can be signed by clubs facing extreme roster hardship – and was brought in by Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas and D.C. United last season alone.Sporting KC liked what they saw from the journeyman ‘keeper and after a brief training stint with former legendary SKC ‘keeper Jimmy Nielsen down in Oklahoma, the club signed him for good in December 2014. A year later, with a trophy up for grabs at PPL Park, he backstopped the club through seven rounds of penalty kicks en route to its second U.S. Open Cup title in three years. ​

“He’s a big story in all this,” Head CoachPeter Vermes told SportingKC.comfollowing the US Open Cup win. “When Tim started for us the first game [on May 23], he had started five MLS games and I think he lost all five. He’s been money ever since."Vermes isn’t exaggerating. During Sporting KC’s road match against the Portland Timbers three days later, Melia turned in an outstandingPlayer of the Week-worthy performanceand improved his record on the season to 10-6-2. After stints with several lower-division clubs including the Long Island Rough Riders, Rochester Rhinos, F.C. New York, and more, Melia has found a home in Kanas City, and his improbable rise has the club poised for another run at MLS Cup. SKC will look to keep its Supporters’ Shield hopes alive this Friday when it takes on the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium at 11 p.m. ET on UniMás. ​